What to consider when looking for tuition for your child

The tuition industry is as diverse as children are varied. With a plethora of choices, we’ve compiled our top practical advice on the questions you should ask so you can decide which is the best option for your child and your family. 

Read on to discover the 9 things you need to ask a tutor or a tuition company before you register your child:

1. Will your child be safe?

The welfare of your child is always the most important consideration. As the most basic safeguarding requirement ask to see their DBS certificate or PVG certificate if you’re in Scotland. When working with children, individuals should have enhanced DBS/PVG certificates. A DBS/PVG checks if they have any spent or unspent criminal convictions. See if the Enhanced check included a Barred List check, which will show if they have been barred from working with children. All reputable tutors and tutors in professional companies should be able to provide a DBS certificate.  

In England, tuition centres can also register voluntarily on the Ofsted childcare register. Ask if the centre is registered or if you are in the centre look around for the Ofsted certificate that is required to be on display. This provides parents with another level of reassurance that rigorous safeguarding practices are being adhered to. 

Safeguarding extends far beyond a DBS certificate. Good tuition providers should have safeguarding policies and procedures that they can show you on request. There should be a member of paediatric first-aid trained staff always on site and tutors should keep their safeguarding knowledge current through annual training. If you are leaving your child in their care, do they know your child’s medical needs and how to respond or administer life-saving medication? 

Visit the location where tutoring will take place and check that you feel comfortable in the environment. At Explore Learning, we register children’s attendance times and record who is allowed to collect the child. We restrict entry via a secure gate and provide a light, open learning space where children and tutors can always be seen. 

2. Can the tutor and the tuition resources adapt to different children?

Children learn in a variety of ways and understanding a child’s preferred learning style and beyond that to their individual needs and being able to adjust is often the key to success and unlocking their potential. 

Share your child’s specific learning objectives and ask the tutor or tuition company how they can meet their needs. 

3. Do the teaching resources match the curriculum your child is learning at school or the exams they will be sitting?  

Most parents are looking for their child to make progress at school or pass an exam as a result of tutoring. It’s important to check that the curriculum your tutor is teaching will complement what your child is learning at school. With more curriculum changes on the horizon, it’s good to find out how your tutor stays updated with curriculum and exam changes.

4. What resources or learning tools do they use? 

Find out how they will prepare for your child’s session and what resources and tools they will use in the session. Consider the benefits of advanced learning technology that determines the questions that a child is asked will free the tutor up to explain trickier concepts. The child will know straight away if they have gotten the question correct or not. The system should be able to track their progress easily too. 

5. What qualifications and experience do you have that make you suited to tutor my child? 

When selecting a tutor, it’s important to look for a combination of relevant qualifications and experience. Ideally, the tutor should have a degree in the subject or a closely related field to ensure they possess strong subject knowledge. Additionally, ask what teaching or tutoring training they have as a valuable indicator that they are trained in effective teaching strategies. Equally important is their experience in tutoring or teaching the subject. An experienced tutor will have developed proven techniques, be able to quickly adapt to your child’s needs, and understand common student challenges. Always feel free to ask about both their qualifications and experience to ensure they’re the right fit for your child’s learning goals. 

6. Ask for reviews from past students 

Depending on the size of the organisation you may be able to search on the internet and find Google and Trustpilot reviews. It is always worth asking in your community for personal reviews or asking the tutor if they can supply you with some past student reviews. 

Finding out how others perceived the tutor could be very helpful in deciding if the tutor and their style would suit you and your child.

7. What results have they achieved with previous students? 

When choosing a tutor or a tuition company a proven track record is essential. You’ll want to know what other children have recently achieved from their tutoring and support. Ask directly for results and they should have some to share with you. If the company or tutor have social media accounts look back through posts to see if they have shared any results of the impact they have made.

8. Is the tuition flexible?  

Can the tutor or tuition company commit to regular sessions with you and if you need to change the day and time would you have this flexibility as a one-off or on a more permanent basis?  

What about holidays? Could you pause your tuition for a month or two or increase the number of sessions you usually have? 

Should you decide to cancel your tuition what would the process be? Would you need to pay any penalties? Or would you need to see out a contract?

9. How will they track and measure progress? What access will you have to this information?

Knowing in advance how progress will be demonstrated to you is invaluable in your decision-making process. You will want to find out how improvement will be assessed, feedback given and milestones for success set. 

Ask how you will be given access to this information. Will you meet regularly to gain insight and talk about your child’s growth? Or will you have access to a website or app that will give you a personalised update?

Tuition can deliver so many more benefits than passing the next test at school. With the right tutor your child can grow in confidence, self-belief and develop a life-long love of learning. 

Not sure where to start? Visit us at Explore Learning for a free trial, online or in our tuition centres to discover more.